TANNHÄUSER UND DER SÄNGERKRIEG AUF WARTBURG (Tannhäuser and the Song Contest on the Wartburg)
Richard Wagner1813 - 1883
Grand romantic opera in three acts (Dresden version)
Libretto by the composer
World premiere October 19th 1845, Hoftheater Dresden
Sung in German
Duration: c. 4 hours with two intervals

About the Piece

Vera Nemirova’s 2007 production of Tannhäuser at Oper Frankfurt was her house debut and first Wagner opera. It was an inte ...

Vera Nemirova’s 2007 production of Tannhäuser at Oper Frankfurt was her house debut and first Wagner opera. It was an interpretation that became all the more powerful because the disparate components in the work (something which the composer himself was never able to resolve during his life time) were not whitewashed over. This Bulgarian director was then entrusted with Wagner’s opus magnum – a production of the Ring, with Kilian’s ingenious stage design, that has been an incredible success. Her first Wagner opera is now back on stage. »Isolating artists from people« is »just as unthinkable as divorcing the soul from the body« wrote Wagner after finishing Tannhäuser: an exceptional artist can only exist if he can work in exceptional circumstances. If society will not allow this then both lose out – the artist perishes, his works are never created. Vera Nemirova’s production draws strong parallels to present day phenomena such as the fervour engendered at pop concerts and television song contests – and then there is a staging of the »song to the evening star«, that almost makes your heart stand still...

Synopsis

Tannhäuser enjoys a passionate relationship with Venus but finds her love overwhelming and wants to go home. She eventually agrees ...

Tannhäuser enjoys a passionate relationship with Venus but finds her love overwhelming and wants to go home. She eventually agrees to return him to the world of men – to seek salvation, but never find it, sure that he will soon return. He names the Virgin Mary and finds himself back on earth. The Landgrave and minstrels appear. Wolfram recognizes Tannhäuser, who decides to go back with them when he hears how sad Elisabeth, the Landgrave's niece, as been since he left. Elisabeth greets the Wartburg hall. Tannhäuser refuses to say where he has been. The singing competition begins, the theme: love. Wolfram's song, about the purest form of love, a fountain from which he draws grace, goes down well. The fountain in Tannhäuser's song is as inexhaustible as his longing is unquenched, he could drink from it forever! Biterolf can’t listen any longer and wants to fight to defend honor and virtue. The Landgrave calls for peace. Tannhäuser now sings Venus’ praises: only a man who has held her in his arms knows what love is. The men rush towards him but Elisabeth bars their way. It is clear that he is the victim of a powerful enchantment. The Landgrave tells him to join the pilgrims on their way to Rome. Wolfram finds Elisabeth searching for Tannhäuser among the returning pilgrims. He longs to comfort her and put an end to her anguish. She offers her life to God in return for Tannhäuser’s soul. Wolfram sings about evening covering the land like approaching death and asks the evening star to greet Elisabeth before she vanishes from the earth to become an angel. Wolfram sees Tannhäuser and asks what has happened. He walked barefoot to Rome when they knelt before the Pope and were blessed. He confessed but was told that anyone who has enjoyed evil pleasures in Venusberg is damned for eternity. Venus appears, to welcome back her lover. They hear people praying for Elisabeth’s soul. Wolfram tells Tannhäuser that his angel is now at God’s throne and will save him. Venus has lost. Tannhäuser nears Elisabeth’s body and asks her to pray for him. God makes himself known through a miracle and Tannhäuser is granted blessed peace.